“Are you excited?”

“Are you excited?”

I’ve been asked this question countless times over the past couple of weeks + I’m pretty sure I answer it differently every time. I leave in only 7 short days, + although there is a lot of excitement, it’s also very bittersweet for me. I’ve felt overwhelmed by a variety of emotions, including excitement + anticipation, but also a lot of sadness + nerves. I feel excited to meet all my squad mates + my coaches + mentors. I’m excited to experience life in a completely different way than I ever have before. I’m excited to see how God uses me + grows me over the next nine months. I’m excited to see how God works through my squad + my team as we minister to each other + the locals of each country. I’m excited to be in each different country + experience their unique cultures. I’m excited for the experiences I will have in Georgia + overseas. I’m excited to have the opportunity to be the hands + feet of Jesus in a new context. BUT, as much as I am excited, I’ve also been pretty sad. I feel sad to be leaving my family + friends + my home. Even though I am eagerly anticipating these next nine months, it’s hard to leave the people close to me. I also feel anxious about getting everything just right before I leave. Packing has been a bit of a struggle, but I am trusting that God will give me wisdom. 🙂 I am realizing more + more just how short my time left in the US is. In these past weeks, I’ve felt stressed to get everything done + fit in all the experiences + people before I leave. All that being said, God is so good + I trust Him throughout this whole endeavor. I’ve recently been taking a lot of comfort in Psalms 91 as I’ve been preparing for this trip. One of my favorite parts of it goes like this, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Another verse that has been particularly encouraging to me is Psalms 90:1-2, “Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.” God is so good! I can’t wait to see how He works in + through me over the next nine months!!

All that being said,

yes, I am excited. 🙂